disputed; disputing
: to engage in argument : debate
especially
: to argue irritably or with irritating persistence
1
a
: to make the subject of verbal controversy or disputation
Legislators hotly disputed the bill.
b
: to call into question or cast doubt upon
Her honesty was never disputed.
The witness disputed the defendant's claim.
2
a
: to struggle against : oppose
disputed the advance of the invaders
b
: to contend over
disputing ownership of the land
disputer
noun
dis·pute
di-ˈspyüt 
ˈdi-ˌspyüt
ˈdi-ˌspyüt
Synonyms
Examples of dispute in a Sentence
Verb
You can dispute your bill if you believe it is inaccurate.
These estimates are hotly disputed by scientists.
No one ever disputed that it was the right decision.
The source of the text has been disputed for centuries.
a part of the city where two drug gangs are disputing territory
Noun
They could not settle their dispute.
There is a labor dispute between workers and management.
The two farmers are involved in a land dispute.
Recent Examples on the Web
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Mandel believes that Hunter’s extraordinary ability to play both sides of the ball in this fashion led to his Heisman success, and disputes the critics who believe Hunter is purely winning the award because of his snap count.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
Lex Harvey, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Research has distinguished between three simple strategies to deal with neighbor disputes: avoidance of the party whose behavior is experienced as unneighborly; confronting the neighbor face-to-face; and relying on a third party to sort out the issue, e.g. the landlord or even police.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dispute 
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Verb
But a Biden administration official, who discussed the matter on condition of anonymity, disputed the characterization.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Mandel believes that Hunter’s extraordinary ability to play both sides of the ball in this fashion led to his Heisman success, and disputes the critics who believe Hunter is purely winning the award because of his snap count.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
Noun
Nearly a decade later, a dark storm cloud has descended upon his increasingly unpopular administration, with the resignation of a top Cabinet minister over a dispute about how to manage US president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
—Lex Harvey, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Research has distinguished between three simple strategies to deal with neighbor disputes: avoidance of the party whose behavior is experienced as unneighborly; confronting the neighbor face-to-face; and relying on a third party to sort out the issue, e.g. the landlord or even police.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dispute
Dictionary Entries Near dispute
Cite this Entry
“Dispute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispute. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dispute
2 of 2 noun1
2
: an angry difference of opinion : quarrel
Legal Definition
dispute
1 of 2 verb
dis·pute
di-ˈspyüt
disputed; disputing
: to engage in a dispute
disputing with management over contract terms
: to engage in a dispute over
disputing the correct application of the contract provision
especially
: to oppose by argument or assertion
disputed changes to the grievance procedure
dispute
2 of 2 noun
: an assertion of opposing views or claims : a disagreement as to rights
especially
: one that is the subject of proceedings for resolution (as arbitration)
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